Ladies and Gents:
Being new to the site and to the forums, I had a question to ask of those of you with much greater experience than I in authentic re-enacting.
The impression I am shooting for is that of an early to mid-war volunteer in the New Mexico Territory. Being such, it would seem appropriate that my kit would be a mixture of late model Federal issue and whatever I could grab that bespoke of militaria. Southwestern depots were not exactly crammed with the newest, shiniest gear the US Army had to offer. I think this would include primarily throw-away Mexican War and interwar accoutrement and weaponry (buff leather, M1855 cartridge box, M1839 wheel cap, armament such as the '42 or '55 that would still have been available from sources in this area. Maybe even a Lherbet knapsack from my grandpa!), mixed with some updated Federal issue such as trousers, shoes and sack. Homespun shirt, drawers, braces.
This is the impression I would like to portray, but it is generally frowned upon in mainstream events, mainly because I do not look like I just came out of a Union soldier mold. Generally, more time is spent telling me what I have wrong without understanding what I am trying to portray. So, my question is this, since I am new to this type of re-enacting:
For events outside of the southwest, would this be acceptable? Or, does anyone have any suggestions or advice on such an impression?
Thanks for any response,
VR & YOS
CPL Rich Libicer
"Kit Carson's Own"
Being new to the site and to the forums, I had a question to ask of those of you with much greater experience than I in authentic re-enacting.
The impression I am shooting for is that of an early to mid-war volunteer in the New Mexico Territory. Being such, it would seem appropriate that my kit would be a mixture of late model Federal issue and whatever I could grab that bespoke of militaria. Southwestern depots were not exactly crammed with the newest, shiniest gear the US Army had to offer. I think this would include primarily throw-away Mexican War and interwar accoutrement and weaponry (buff leather, M1855 cartridge box, M1839 wheel cap, armament such as the '42 or '55 that would still have been available from sources in this area. Maybe even a Lherbet knapsack from my grandpa!), mixed with some updated Federal issue such as trousers, shoes and sack. Homespun shirt, drawers, braces.
This is the impression I would like to portray, but it is generally frowned upon in mainstream events, mainly because I do not look like I just came out of a Union soldier mold. Generally, more time is spent telling me what I have wrong without understanding what I am trying to portray. So, my question is this, since I am new to this type of re-enacting:
For events outside of the southwest, would this be acceptable? Or, does anyone have any suggestions or advice on such an impression?
Thanks for any response,
VR & YOS
CPL Rich Libicer
"Kit Carson's Own"
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